* Annual estimated passenger usage based on sales of tickets in stated financial year(s) which end or originate at Manchester Airport from Office of Rail Regulation statistics. Methodology may vary year on year.

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The station is 93⁄4 miles (15.7 km) south of Manchester Piccadilly at the end of a short branch from the Styal Line. A branch of Manchester Metrolink runs into it. It is accessed via a triangular junction located between Heald Green and Styal. The station platforms are connected by escalator, elevator, ramps and an elevated covered walkway (known as the "Sky Link") to the airport terminal buildings in which is a manned railway ticket office. Throughout the airport complex, the railway station is known as "The Station" and is signposted as such.

In December 2008 a third platform opened after a year of construction and a total cost of £15 million. The following year Network Rail noted that it had "greatly increased operational flexibility at the station, and reduced the number of times that late-running trains had had to be terminated at Manchester Piccadilly."[2]

In 2009 Network Rail stated that the creation of the third platform has meant that the capacity at Manchester Airport will become constrained by the layover of the trains and congestion at the throat. To solve this issue they have recommended building a line underneath the airport towards Northwich in the 2019 to 2024 period.[3]

In July 2012, support for a fourth rail platform was announced by the Government; it is expected to be completed by December 2018 or sooner.[4] The current platforms are eight carriage lengths long, so each can accommodate two trains of four carriages. A fourth platform will allow greater use of longer trains of six carriages or more. This had been recommended as part of the Northern Hub scheme of rail improvements around Manchester by the 2010 Manchester Hub Rail Study and the 2011 Northern Route Utilisation Strategy, with an estimated cost of £23 million.[5] It will be constructed between the existing three platforms and the bus station building.[6]

On 28 January 2013, the Conservative–Liberal Democrat Coalition Government announced that Manchester Airport will be included in the second phase of the High Speed 2 railway line. This will enable Manchester Airport to be reached from London Euston station in 59 minutes. The new line and associated new station will pass to the west of the Airport, away from the existing railway station and transport interchange.[7]

In February 2014, construction commenced on a new £20m fourth platform at the station. The start of construction was attended by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne. Construction of the new platform is expected to be completed by the end of May 2015 - three years quicker than the 2018 estimate given in 2012.[8][9]

There are currently nine trains per hour to Manchester Piccadilly. There are no long distance services to the airport from the south; a service from Manchester Airport to Skegness via Derby previously operated but was cut back to Crewe due to poor passenger numbers.[10]

There are also 3 trains per day to Chester via Warrington Bank Quay (of which one continues to Llandudno, operated by Arriva Trains Wales).

The Manchester Metrolink light rail network has been extended from St Werburgh's Road to Manchester Airport as part of the Phase 3 expansion project.[12] The Metrolink station has been built adjacent to the airport station.[13]

Metrolink platforms.

Following a period of uncertainty due to funding problems, the plans were finally given the go-ahead in May 2009. The confirmed route will not complete the full airport loop as proposed, but trams will run along the northern route via Wythenshawe. Completion of the western side of the loop would be subject to further funding in a later project.[14][15] An opening date of Summer 2016 had originally been indicated for opening of the Airport line[16] but in June 2014 it was announced that the line would open early on 3 November 2014, and so it did open.[17]